@BuckleyJeweller

OUR FRIENDS

March 8, 2016

This International Women’s Day we at Buckley London want to celebrate all those amazing women across the world who inspire others.

Sharlene-Moniqué is one of those women. She is the multi talented and utterly beautiful, (inside and out), owner of the blog Be Uniquely You where her message for females of all ages and backgrounds is – “what you have to offer is enough“.

We caught up with her ahead of this years International Women’s Day to tell us more about herself and how she is making a difference to the lives of women.

Who’s that girl?

My Name is Sharlene-Moniqué and I work with award winning Choir Director ( and judge from the 2015 BBC 2 show ‘The Naked choir’) Karen Gibson leading gospel choir workshops all over Europe, such as Latvia, Denmark, Italy and Norway. I absolutely love dancing and have performed and taught in the UK, Europe and America. I’m also a speaker, fashion and empowerment blogger based in London.

What’s the idea behind your blog?

Empowering and encouraging people to be their best selves. I spent many years from my teens, well into my twenties not embracing my uniqueness. I am passionate about people realizing that out of the 7 billion humans on the planet they have something to offer the world that no one else can. I use my blog as a platform to express that. I’m also a huge fashion lover so my blog allows me to express myself in a creative way.

What is your favourite part of what you do on your blog?

Receiving comments or emails from people who have been inspired by it. As much as I love fashion, impacting people in a positive way is my first love. The fact that people are inspired and encouraged after reading my posts makes me so happy and that’s exactly why I started blogging.

What inspires you?

Excellence and confidence! This could be a singer, cleaner, dancer, blogger, administrator etc…! I am inspired by people who do their best at what they do.

Finish the sentence “I’m happiest when ….

Now that’s a hard question because there are so many things that make me happy. I love travelling and simply doing life with my husband. I absolutely adore spending time with my family and friends. So I guess, I’m happiest when I’m with the people I love and I know love me.

We love your style, what would you say is your ‘go to’ look?

Thank you. On a casual day it’s got to be some wet look leggings, a statement T-shirt with a pair of converse or brogues. On a glam day a fitted pencil dress with a pair of courts and a statement clutch. I like to keep things simple.

What has been your favourite fashion item or outfit you’ve featured on your blog?

A blog post I have done with my husband where I’m wearing an Emile Vidal Carr dress. I absolutely love it! Funnily enough I’m also wearing some gorgeous Buckley London jewellery too.

As it’s International Women’s Day we want to know – who do you think are the best role models for women today?

It’s funny because I’m not always inspired by people who are famous. But I’m always drawn to people who use their fame to create influence. I think Michelle Obama is someone who seeks to help people and inspire them to aim for greater things, especially young people. I would say the best role models are people in our families and communities who are helping to make this world a better place to live in.

If you could meet with any woman from history who would it be and why?

I would love to meet one of my ancestors! I’m a singer and I’ve always wondered if there was someone way back in my linage who could sing like me.

If you could go back in time to a teenage you, what would you tell yourself?

I love this question! I would say, ‘Shar you are so beautiful and your body is amazing, stop worrying about getting married and whether or not anyone will love and accept you. When you’re older everything is going to work itself out. Stop focusing on perfection and learn to embrace the imperfections’.

With all your talents and interests what does the future hold for you? Do you have goals for the future?

My goal is to make ‘Be Uniquely You’ a movement. I want to use my talents as a tool to get into schools and reach young people, girls in particular. I’m so passionate about impacting the next generation of young people to have the correct mindset about themselves and to value what they have. I’m working towards that and I will be leading a vocal empowerment workshop at an event next week called ‘Rocking Ur Teens’ where I’ll be doing exactly that. I feel equally passionate about adults, I’ll also be leading some workshops in Ireland In April. Slowly but surely, more opportunities are popping up and I’m so thankful.

And lastly, what’s your message for women all over the world this International Women’s Day?

You are so powerful and even if you don’t feel like you are the fact still remains. To all the mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, aunties, and all the other titles we have. There is a purpose for your life and you are important. There is something you need to do that only you can do the way you do it. Embrace yourself, all the good and bad parts and be intentional about growing and working on the things that you want to improve. Remember that life is a journey and I love the way Maya Agelou puts it ‘Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better do better’